Private Sector

Corporate communications manager - Improvement programme

Financial services group

The interim executive took over the management, development and implementation of the internal and external communications of a major financial services group in order to improve the performance of the communication function across the businesses until a permanent appointment was made. A strategy was produced and agreed by the Executive Committee, an action plan delivered in response to the annual employee survey and enhanced processes and systems implemented for media relations activity.

Sales director - Sales/Marketing strategy implementation

Direct marketing subsidiary of FTSE 100 group

Interim executive engaged to support CEO assess, develop and implement a sales and marketing strategy to move the company through to being cashflow positive. Recommended restructuring and downsizing of the business, refocusing on core strategy.

Operations director - Change management

Managed services subsidiary of multinational Financial Services group

Initially contracted to support Operations Director during period of change surrounding major systems implementation, promoted to manage entire operation when the director left the company. Prepared service operations for implementation of new administration system, led programme to bring flagship product back within service standards and renewed sales force confidence in service delivery. Changed the roles of the team to ensure service and quality were key focus and implemented new shift programme.

Head of European operations - Restructuring

Manufacturer of healthcare products

Customer service needed improvement and the consolidation of manufacturing facilities required managing. The interim executive took responsibility for operations in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Reduced overdue customer orders significantly and within weeks. Closed one European factory and consolidated operations in the UK. Introduced control mechanisms for product introduction and product change.

Chief executive - Project turnround

Leisure resort

The investors required an interim executive with a marketing background to manage a major refurbishment and to develop a new senior management team to take the business forward. This involved establishing new operating procedures to compete in today's marketplace. The project was completed on time and on budget and a new marketing programme, including a relaunch, has been implemented.

Chief executive – Turnaround – Germany

Multi–national capital equipment manufacturer

This subsidiary has been loss-making for several years and the parent company has lost confidence in the local management to achieve a turnaround. An interim CEO has been hired to take control of the situation – reduce overheads, eliminate losses and maintain service levels. The interim CEO will also be involved in planning the long-term future of the business.

Chief executive – Turnaround – Italy

Multi-national branded consumer goods company

A failed recruitment exercise to replace the under-performing CEO created an urgent need for a replacement CEO at very short notice. A fluent Italian speaker with an in-depth knowledge of the Italian retail channels, the interim CEO has set about re-vitalising sales.

Credit control expert – Europe

Multi-national logistics business

Poor cash management performance across the European Region has resulted in a plan to set up a Shared Service Centre for Credit Control. An interim who is an expert in credit management was brought in to manage the transition and to share or introduce best practice.

Chief Executive – Start up

Industry regulatory body

The key members of one of the UK’s leading industry associations decided to set up a new regulatory agency to establish and monitor product standards in the financial services sector. An interim CEO was appointed to set up and staff the new organisation. Quality standards were created and approved and Members encouraged to submit their product portfolios for audit and approval.

Finance Director – Company sale

Publishing

The company was in mid-negotiations to sell its share of a joint venture to its American partner when the FD suddenly resigned. An interim FD started within 24 hours and discovered incorrect share registration and chaotic management and financial accounts. The Accounts team was reorganised and strengthened, the records corrected and brought up to date and the company sale successfully completed.

HR Director - Turnround

Fresh produce growers

Severe market pressures following a major acquisition necessitated a total restructuring of the Group with non-core activities being outsourced, sold and closed. An interim HR specialist was taken on to participate in creating the new business plan for agreement by the Bank and then to lead all subsequent Personnel related matters (TUPE transfers, redundancy, internal communications etc).

Supply Chain Director – Business integration

Consumer durables

This leading manufacturer, part of a N American multi-national, recently acquired two competitors. Operations and stock were amalgamated into one factory and staff cuts made. Working capital costs subsequently escalated dramatically as forecasting systems failed and inventory ballooned. An interim Operations Manager was hired to identify the cause of the problem and to implement a solution. Redundancies had resulted in a loss of critical product knowledge and lost stock in duplicate stock locations. Stock outs then triggered additional emergency production runs and stock levels rose by £10m. Corrective action was taken and a new Operations Director recruited.

Programme management - Shared services

High Street Bank

The Bank decided to centralise all resourcing including volume recruitment of clerical and administrative grades. A Shared Service Centre was established and an interim Project Manager hired to liaise with the large number of internal clients, to negotiate and manage the internal and external suppliers. A key element of the project was to set up a new call-centre with live candidate tracking system. The service was launched on time and on budget.

Project manager - Relocation

Consumer goods – N America

Review proposals to relocate business from Canada to USA; create supply chain plan to ensure continuity of supply; short-list partner companies to outsource all warehousing, pick-and-pack and distribution; negotiate contracts and SLAs.

Change Director - Restructuring

Owner-managed manufacturer of specialist protection equipment

Reviewed business and business plan; proposed rationalisation of manufacturing and relocation of design office / HQ; directed implementation of plan; freed prime site for redevelopment.